scholarly journals Anthropocene, capitalocene, machinocene: Illusions of instrumental reason

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-570
Author(s):  
Predrag Slijepcevic
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Philosophy Of Biology ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Instrumental Reason ◽  
Human Reason ◽  
Seminal Work ◽  
The Common ◽  
Near Future

In their seminal work, Dialectics of Enlightenment, Horkheimer and Adorno interpreted capitalism as the irrational monetization of nature. In the present work, I analyze three 21st century concepts, Anthropocene, Capitalocene and Machinocene, in light of Horkheimer and Adorno?s arguments and recent arguments from the philosophy of biology. The analysis reveals a remarkable prescience of the term ?instrumental reason?, which is present in each of the three concepts in a profound and cryptic way. In my interpretation, the term describes the propensity of science based on the notion of physicalism to interpret nature as the machine analyzable and programmable by the human reason. As a result, the Anthropocene concept is built around the mechanicist model, which may be presented as the metaphor of the car without brakes. In a similar fashion, the Machinocene concept predicts the emergence of the mechanical mind, which will dominate nature in the near future. Finally, the Capitalocene concept turns a perfectly rational ambition to expand knowledge into an irrational obsession with over-knowledge, by employing the institutionalized science as the engine of capitalism without brakes. The common denominator of all three concepts is the irrational propensity to legitimize self-destruction. Potential avenues for countering the effects of ?instrumental reason? are suggested.

scholarly journals All-human social, humanitarian, cultural and security problems of the world

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 263-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Jeníček ◽  
V. Krepl
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Social Inequality ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Development Problem ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
The World ◽  
The Common ◽  
Near Future

The common denominator of all rather different names and understandings of it (the problem of the “model of man and society development”, problem of the “lack of the civilisation concept” etc.) is that there is no clear understanding regarding the question of the perspective approach (or approaches), the relevant basic development trends of humankind in the material as well as non-material sphere, i.e. in the basic question of many philosophers “Who are we, whence and where are we going”. We mention only some of the problems, which are at present directly connected to the “problem of the future of man”. These are the problems from the sphere of all-human social, ethical, humanitarian and cultural aspects of the human civilisation development, which are today (but need not be already in the near future) in the centre of attention: the problem of social inequality extension, the problem of spreading epidemics and drug abuse, the problem of the uncontrollable migration and city agglomerations growth, the problem of terrorism.

Hotspots in Psychology – 2020 Edition

2020 ◽  
Vol 228 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Michael Bošnjak ◽  
Nadine Wedderhoff
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
The Common ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. This editorial gives a brief introduction to the six articles included in the fourth “Hotspots in Psychology” of the Zeitschrift für Psychologie. The format is devoted to systematic reviews and meta-analyses in research-active fields that have generated a considerable number of primary studies. The common denominator is the research synthesis nature of the included articles, and not a specific psychological topic or theme that all articles have to address. Moreover, methodological advances in research synthesis methods relevant for any subfield of psychology are being addressed. Comprehensive supplemental material to the articles can be found in PsychArchives ( https://www.psycharchives.org ).

Motives of espionage against ones own country in the light of idiographic studies

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Michalak
Keyword(s):  
Common Sense ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
The Common

Motives of espionage against ones own country in the light of idiographic studies The money is perceived as the common denominator among people who have spied against their own country. This assumption is common sense and appears to be self-evident truth. But do we have any hard evidences to prove the validity of such a statement? What method could be applied to determine it? This article is a review of the motives behind one's resorting to spying activity which is a complex and multifarious process. I decided to present only the phenomenon of spying for another country. The studies on the motives behind taking up spying activity are idiographic in character. One of the basic methodological problems to be faced by the researchers of this problem is an inaccessibility of a control group.

A Compact Embodiment of Pluralities and Denial of Origins: Atwood’s The Year of The Flood

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Rana Sağıroğlu
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Margaret Atwood ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The World ◽  
Narrative Techniques ◽  
Why Questions ◽  
Near Future

Margaret Atwood, one of the most spectacular authors of postmodern movement, achieved to unite debatable and in demand critical points of 21st century such as science fiction, postmodernism and ecocriticism in the novel The Year of The Flood written in 2009. The novel could be regarded as an ecocritical manifesto and a dystopic mirror against today’s degenerated world, tending to a superficial base to keep the already order in use, by moving away from the fundamental solution of all humanity: nature. Although Atwood does not want her works to be called science fiction, it is obvious that science fiction plays an introductory role and gives the novel a ground explaining all ‘why’ questions of the novel. However, Atwood is not unjust while claiming that her works are not science fiction because of the inevitable rapid change of 21st century world becoming addicted to technology, especially Internet. It is easily observed by the reader that what she fictionalises throughout the novel is quite close to possibility, and the world may witness in the near future what she creates in the novel as science fiction. Additionally, postmodernism serves to the novel as the answerer of ‘how’ questions: How the world embraces pluralities, how heterogeneous social order is needed, and how impossible to run the world by dichotomies of patriarchal social order anymore. And lastly, ecocriticism gives the answers of ‘why’ questions of the novel: Why humanity is in chaos, why humanity has organized the world according to its own needs as if there were no living creatures apart from humanity. Therefore, The Year of The Flood meets the reader as a compact embodiment of science fiction, postmodernism and ecocriticism not only with its theme, but also with its narrative techniques.

The Problem of the Typology of Rationality in Muslim Culture

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 88-99
Author(s):  
Andrey A. Lukashev
Keyword(s):  
Modern Philosophy ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
The Other ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Islamic Culture ◽  
The Common ◽  
Per Se ◽  
The One ◽  
Muslim Culture

The typology of rationality is one of major issues of modern philosophy. In an attempt to provide a typology to Oriental materials, a researcher faces additional problems. The diversity of the Orient as such poses a major challenge. When we say “Oriental,” we mean several cultures for which we cannot find a common denominator. The concept of “Orient” involves Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Turkish and other cultures, and the only thing they share is that they are “non-Western.” Moreover, even if we focus just on Islamic culture and look into rationality in this context, we have to deal with a conglomerate of various trends, which does not let us define, with full confidence, a common theoretical basis and treat them as a unity. Nevertheless, we have to go on trying to find common directions in thought development, so as to draw conclusions about types of rationality possible in Islamic culture. A basis for such a typology of rationality in the context of the Islamic world was recently suggested in A.V. Smirnov’s logic of sense theory. However, actual empiric material cannot always fit theoretical models, and the cases that do not fit the common scheme are interesting per se. On the one hand, examination of such cases gives an opportunity to specify certain provisions of the theory and, on the other hand, to define the limits of its applicability.

The Common Denominator of Land Classification in Canada: an Ecological Approach to Mapping

1980 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Approach ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Land Classification ◽  
Ecological Land Classification ◽  
Common Basis ◽  
The Common

The cores and boundaries of land units are located by reference to relationships between climate, landform and biota in ecological land classification. This appeal to relationships, rather than to climate, or to geomorphology, or to soils, or to vegetation alone, provides the common basis for land classification.

Getting beyond the common denominator

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Hunt ◽  
M. Lundberg ◽  
B. Zuckerman
Keyword(s):  
Common Denominator ◽  
The Common

scholarly journals Status and conservation of the giant muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis, and notes on other muntjac species in Laos

Oryx ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Timmins ◽  
T. D. Evans ◽  
Khamkhoun Khounboline ◽  
Chainoi Sisomphone
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Range Limits ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Taxonomic Affinity ◽  
Red Data Book ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Book ◽  
The Common ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Muntiacus Muntjak

The large-antlered, or giant, muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis wasdescribed from Vietnam in 1994 and found concurrently in the Annamite Mountains and nearby hill ranges of central and southern Laos. The northerly and southerly range limits are still unknown. It may occupy a wide range of habitats and is found sympatrically with the common muntjac Muntiacus muntjak. Another muntjac species, the taxonomic affinity of which is as yet undetermined, was recently discovered to occur within its range. The large-antlered muntjac is probably not threatened with extinction in the near future, but in view of its restricted range and threats from habitat degradation and hunting, it should be classified as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book. Its future in Laos is largely dependent on the recently created protected-areas system to maintain large tracts of habitat and reduce hunting pressure.

A Creator’s Illness as a Source of Memory and Forgetting: Selected Examples

2020 ◽  
Vol nr specjalny 1(2020) ◽  
pp. 293-310
Author(s):  
Bernadetta Darska ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Point ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
The Common ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Universal Nature

In the present article I examine autobiographical works in which writers reveal their illnesses. I am interested not so much in the description of a given ailment, but rather in the embroilment resulting from being ill and from the persistent conflict between memory and forgetting. Becoming aware of the illness turns out to be a critical point, forcing the writers to re-evaluate their own lives. Consequently, memory and forgetting assume a new status. I also attempt to juxtapose the universal nature of being ill and the intimacy of this experience; I point out the similarities and differences involved in dealing with illnesses, the common denominator of which seems to be the necessity of confronting the limits of memory and the expansiveness of forgetting.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document